The Dancing Bear

by Michael Morpurgo

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Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Middle Grade, Novels, Audiobook, Historical Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fancied something light to read last night, and as I love animals, I decided to select a paperback from one of my two Michael Morpurgo box sets.

This was a touching and emotional story about a little girl who rescues a malnourished bear cub and brings it into her village, where it becomes a large part of their close-knit community.

At times this story was a fun read, but it turned out not to be quite as light-hearted as I had hoped, resulting in tears and me feeling a little heart broken at one stage.

[Charlotte Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first Michael Morpurgo book and to be honest I only listened to this one because it was narrated by Ian McKellen.

The narration was really relaxing to listen to though the story itself was quite sombre. My main issue with this book is the ending. I feel that the author wanted to make it sad so made something happen really abruptly but I felt that it didn't have the emotional impact that it should have had.

I think that Morpurgo is an interesting author and I will be checking out more of his work in the future but I found that this fell a little flat. For a start, there wasn't really much of the bear in the story!

Overall I liked the narration and the concept was a good one but I don't think that this translates well to an adult reader. Children would enjoy it I think but it wasn't for me.

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know what, it maybe a tiny children’s book, but it isn’t half beautiful! Only took 20 minutes to read but it was just really nice! Michael Morpurgo does it again! I’d recommend and give it a 4.5/5 👍

[Bobbie Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The Dancing Bear’ is a short story about an elderly teacher, who watches a young girl adopt a bear cub into her family and build a beautiful friendship with it as they grow up together. Roxanne, the young girl, fights to keep her bear living in their country town as he grows larger. As she ages into a woman, Roxanne visits her bear less and less, he becomes desolate and less responsive in her absence. A film crew then arrives, wishing to use the town and the bear in their music video. The quiet, country town is suddenly turned into a set, the people into extras and Roxanne has to decide whether she will leave to pursue her talents or stay with her friends and family.

Whilst a beautiful story, ‘The Dancing Bear’ has no real climax and lacks the excitement needed to entrance a group of children into listening through the entire story, which is why I would not use it as a class reading book at the end of the day. However, the story does contain some wonderful descriptions and imagery, making it appropriate as an example in a year three or four Literacy class. It also contains some opportunities to discuss how the characters are feeling, such as Roxanne as she leaves her home or her bear as he is contained in the cage for the safety of others, I would use this in a year two or three class. This story may also appeal to year five or six girls during independent reading.

As an adult, I rather enjoyed the simple, gentle story but I do wonder if a group of young children would appreciate it, despite the lack of excitement.

[Liv 소정 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually the first book I ever read of Michael Morpurgo's and honestly it is so sad. I don't know how I can remember the plot because it was like 6 years ago when I first read this but I remember it being so sad and I think I loved the bear because obviously its a bear and bears are so cute. I think it is horrible that some bears are in captivity and are being forced to dance. In my opinion I think that animals should have rights too, so this made me think more about what people are doing today.
I recommend because it is so heartwarming and I enjoyed it.
I didn't give it a full 5* because I don't remember a lot of it. I just remember liking it and it upsetting me that people were cruel to animals. I will have to read again sometime...

[Monowara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with my year 5 class in SEB, and before I read it I was told it was a great read. I gave this book only 3 stars as it started off as a great read but was disappointed with the ending of the story, however, the children I read it with enjoyed the book. This book is about a little girl who finds a small bear cub and convinces the whole town and her grandad to let her keep it. A famous film crew comes into town and decides to use the bear in one of their songs. The book is great for children as it enhances their vocabulary to a great extent, and I used this book to do most of the vocabulary lessons.

[J.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book (only 60 pages), concise and exquisite. Superbly written by this first-rate author. Children probably know what to expect from the brilliant Michael Morpurgo in terms of challenging material (in other words, sad or difficult parts to the story) so perhaps avoid very young children for this one. One another thing that might work against it for young children is that the narrator is a near-retired schoolmaster. Older children would love this clean, precise account of an orphan girl and a bear in a mountain village. The illustrations (black and white drawings by Christian Birmingham) are breathtaking. This book has been on my children’s book shelves since the mid-nineties and I have read it at least twice since then for my own pleasure, savouring every aspect of the taut, masterly narration and the subtlety of the illustrations. Five stars and five stars again.

[Doueye Brisibe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, heartwarming tale.
A rated it four because of how happy it made me feel and the feelings of nostalgia it stirred up with references to a beloved children's fairytale.
The ending came as a shock and I'll surely think about it for a long time. Michael Morpurgo never disappoints.

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very brief novella, which was really lovely, until the end, when it got very sad.

I read it aloud to my son. He was quite devastated at the end, when Roxanne gave in to temptation, Bruno, the bear died of a broken heart and Roxanne forsook Bruno and everyone in the village. He said tearfully, “but stories are supposed to have happy endings!” I explained to him that not all stories have happy endings. Life isn’t like that. But the story doesn’t really end there, anyway. Life always goes on.

[Emma]

Wanted to read something short. This book was the first book that made me cry when I was a child. Very good

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dancing Bear
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I just wanted a quick wee read in between moving house and this appeared on my shelf and took me back to the high school days. I loved this story, though it does break my heart and also make me want a little bear called Bruno too. I only wish that it was longer

[TOTES AMAZE Pro Reader 123 not me by the way · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching and gentle story with beautiful words from Michael morpurgo. Loved it.

[Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story even though it was sad

[Megan Wiffen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dancing Bear is a moving story set in an old fashioned village in the mountains; it follows a young orphan girl, Roxanne. One day Roxanne finds a bear, she names him Bruno and with support from some of the fellow villagers she keeps him. They become best friends and their relationship becomes special and enchanting. When word spreads of Bruno, a film crew arrive to make a music video for a famous rock singer, Niki. Niki talks Roxanne into getting Bruno to dance for his video and Bruno does. Roxanne is heard singing to the bear one evening and Niki asks her to leave the village and Bruno to be a famous singer. She leaves her beloved bear and he sadly dies.

This book is wonderful to read as it’s written from someone else’s point of view looking on at Roxanne and Bruno’s relationship. It would be great to read with a Key Stage 2 class, the story is short, captivating and has a grown up edge with serious subject matters. It is easy to read and has beautiful charcoal illustrations which capture the story wonderfully.

There are many classroom exercises you could do with this book. The class could write a story with a different ending if Roxanne stayed with the bear, what would have happened? They could act out the book and play different characters showing the different emotions from each character. They could also write a diary from one of the characters point of view and how they felt about the bear being in their village.

This book is charming and full of emotion; I would highly recommend giving this book a read.

[Aszerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dancing Bear by Michael Morpurgo, tells the delicate story of an orphan called Roxanne who adopts an abandoned bear cub. The story is told from the perspective of Roxanne’s school teacher. The book is set in an isolated, mountainous village. The whole village allows Roxanne to adopt the bear, as they hope it will bring a financial profit to the village in the future. This hope is fulfilled when a TV crew come to the village, looking for a dancing bear to be in their new music video. But the video ends up featuring the bear and Roxanne. She is offered a chance of fame and luxury and leaves her sheltered life behind and her precious bear. The bear dies from heart break the next morning and the book ends.

It was such a tantalizing and unique story. But I rather disliked the ending. I felt quite sad at how quickly the bear died and that the girl never came back for him. However, despite the ending I would recommend this book for KS2 readers. This book could be used in Literacy to explore other countries and ways of living outside of London (which should really engage the EAL students). It could also be used in PSHE to explore animal cruelty. It is a nice short book and shouldn’t take that long for a class to go through.

[Conorfinnerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story, perfectly complemented by Christian Birmingham's beautiful illustrations, is one that every child should read. The little village, tucked away in the mountains, is old-fashioned, cut off from the outside world and everyone is untainted by the modern way of life. "We are a world of our own and we like it that way." The arrival of Niki the world-famous singer and his film crew, contrast oddly with the peaceful, slow-moving world of the village people. Bruno is strong and lovable, and Roxanne a beautiful, gentle girl, who is inseparable from her beloved bear. All the characters have clear-cut personalities - the grandfather crusty and bitter, Tiny cheerful and comical, the narrator a solitary old man, "content with my own company and my music."
The illustrations are wonderful - they capture the whole spirit of the mountains, the old-fashioned village, and Roxanne and the bear's happiness. I would recommend this story to anyone, children and adults alike, and also to read any of Michael Morpurgo's other books. "What the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't long for" but in this case I think it would be an offence not to "see" this!

[Katy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story from Morpurgo, but complete in its plot and character development. An orphaned bear is adopted by a girl in a mountain village, despite her father's protestations. The bear brings about prosperity and tourism to the people, and when a music video crew later visit to film a famous singer's latest pop video, life will change yet again.

Morpurgo doesn't ever seem to produce a dud. Despite its length, this is still engrossing. An old man of the village narrates the story, watching Roxanne and Bruno the bear through old, experienced eyes. How will pop star Nicky affect them all?

It's sad. As are all Morpurgo's books at times, but this is intended for younger, beginning readers, so quite a brave move to write the tale this way. It certainly covers points about stardom, contemporary aspirations and friendship with as much depth as books ten times its length.

I listened to the audio version, and can recommend the reader as well as the book. He speaks clearly and gently, the voice of the narrator bringing him to life.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a beautiful story, about a village girl who finds a bear cub in the forest, when she brings it back to her grandfather who is talking to the village men she asks if she my keep it. Her grandfather refuses at first but when one of the villagers says that the bear could attract tourists and make money, Roxannes grandfather lets her keep it. When a film crew, come to town, looking for a dancing bear.
the bear can dance, but when the director meets Roxanne he asks her if she would like to act and sing with him. Roxanne decides to go, so she gets a trusted villager to look after the bear she leaves

WARNING SPOILER ALERT

watching Roxanne go the villager go,s into the bears cage , He then realises that the bear is dead.

beautifully written this a must read book

[Farhana Imran · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is narrated through the eyes of the villages local teacher. He explains how a small bear came down from the mountains and changed things forever.

It's about a lonely girl called Roxanne who befriends this bear and their close bond.

It's about an old man who only cares for money ( Roxanne's grandfather) and how he manipulates his grand daughter to use the bear for monetary gain.

It's about a film company which is looking for bear to star in it's new music video.

Michael Morpurgo has a talent for making his animals come to life, he makes us wish we too could have a bear as our friend.

A must read for animal lovers.

[Dom Conlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard (rather than read) this story and came to it as a blank slate, not knowing anything about it or what to expect. And my goodness, I'm so very glad I did. The gentle tone unfolds in the most beautiful detail to reveal how the lives of a group of villagers are affected by the adoption of a bear cub. Every character is sensitively and lovingly written to create one of the most special stories I've read in a long while. Morpurgo is a master storyteller.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a girl who raises a bear and what turn it takes the relationship when the outside out world interferes, well written for the young readers.

[Beth Maisie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite sad and nothing much happens, so a bit boring, not really worth reading.

[Michaela Sabova · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I was a child, I was read this book.

And the thing is, I loved many of Michael Morpurgo's other books - especially Kaspar Prince of Cats. His writing was simple enough to understand and follow, and the animals in these books were not vilified or used simply for comedic purposes. I liked that about them.

However, where most of Michael Murpurgo's books are bittersweet, and especially Kaspar, there was still that sweetness. This sense of a satisfying conclusion that was to be expected, however sad it might have been. Kaspar had gone through so much, knew so much, and he was simply ready to retire. But the bear? And every other character in "The Dancing Bear?"

None of them received a satisfying conclusion. Granted, not everyone gets to go away peacefully within their sleep and whatnot; that's just the depressing reality of life, but come on, this is a children's book! Let them see at least one satisfying conclusion to a character's story. This is fiction! It doesn't have to mirror reality, just make sense within the context of its own universe and what it's set up.

But none of the ending really had to happen.

It didn't. And I've read it multiple times, so there's no changing my mind on this one: it's a ridiculous ending that cannot be considered a good conclusion to a children's book. What does it teach anyway? Not to cage bears? Well gee, I couldn't have figured that one out myself! Not.

I'd never put children through a book as frankly miserable as this one.

Sorry Michael, but this is unnecessarily dark for a kid's book.

[Saarah Niña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always beautiful

You can never successfully read a Michael Morpurgo book and put it down without feeling so moved. His books always touch you deeply, the storytelling, his talent in painting a landscape that has you feeling wonder and then, the story's ending...

Oh my. I was as shaken with this one as with those I've read before. I kept thinking, oh what fun it would be to read this book to a child. But that ending killed that thought. I probably would still read it to a child, perhaps after the tragic loss of a family pet. Just whenever they're feeling quite sad anyway. You can never forget the tale of the Dancing Bear. Really beautiful and bittersweet.

[dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that was recommended to me by a sweet child in my class. Literally. She walked up to me and told me she loved it and that I should read it. So, I did.

I see why she enjoyed this book a lot. It is a sentimental and emotional short story about a girl and her best friend, a bear. She raises the bear and is turned into a local celebrity because of it. However, eventually, a film crew shows up and seeks out a dancing bear, which leaves her to take on the challenge.

This was a nice story to read on a Monday morning. However, I would probably not read it again in my life. It was cute, but lacked all the elements that I seek out in a fictional narrative as an adult.

[Heather Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it four stars, but I’m still not quite sure what I thought of it. It was short and simple, and I think overall I wish it had been a full novel with more time invested in the characters creating a stronger connection for the reader. I read this to preview it for my kids, but I still can’t decide if it’s a worthwhile read. I think I’m dropping my review to three stars.


——SPOILERS——


I wasn’t upset by the ending, it seemed fitting for a rather abrupt story overall. I did appreciate the part about the hat at the end.

[Saskia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I revisited this childhood favourite as part of a 2025 reading challenge. I loved reading Morpurgo books when I was a kid, but I don’t remember much about the books themselves. I only remember that he always seems to write sad endings. I remembered very well that this book made me cry in the end, and it was still very sad the second time, especially with the sober reading of Ian McKellen. Still enjoyable as an adult, and I might go and read some others of his work that I have missed since growing up.

[Daisy Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was the group reading book chosen for our class at school. We have gotten about 1/2 way through and the children are making predictions that there will be a happy ending!
Having read ahead I'm going to go into school tomorrow and hide all the copies of this book until the end of term because I don't want to disillusion them.
Deducting stars because Roxanne made out she was all nice and caring then traded it all in for a glittering career and broke a bears heart. :(

[Helen Sendall · Rating 2 out of 5]

My then 10 year old daughter and I read this book in one evening, as it is very short - much shorter than most of Morpurgo's stories. We were quite enjoying it until the last two pages, when it ended very suddenly and made my daughter very upset. It seemed like the author had tired with that story and ended it abruptly. Very unsatisfying and unnecessarily sad.

[Victoria Zigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My actual rating is 3.5 stars, but I rounded up. It would have been a five star read for me, but the ending felt kind of sudden and lacking in emotion. Up until that point I thought it was an excellent and beautiful read, but the ending was a disappointment, which took away a lot of my enjoyment of the rest of the story.